Trajan's Column

Trajan's Column is a Roman triumphal column in Rome, Italy, that commemorates Emperor Trajan's victory in the Dacian Wars. It was completed in AD 113 and is located in Trajan's Forum, near the Quirinal Hill, north of the Roman Forum. The column is famous for its spiral bas relief, which artistically depicts the epic wars between the Romans and Dacians (101–102 and 105–106).

Design and Construction

The column was designed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus at the order of the Roman Senate. It stands at approximately 30 meters (98 feet) in height, 35 meters (115 feet) including its large pedestal. The structure is made from a series of 20 colossal Carrara marble drums, each weighing about 32 tons, with a diameter of 3.7 meters (12 feet).

Relief

The spiral bas relief winds 23 times around the column and depicts 155 scenes of the Dacian Wars, with over 2,500 individual figures. The relief provides a valuable insight into the Roman military and their campaigns. The scenes are a continuous narrative, starting with the Roman army preparing for war and ending with the victory over the Dacians.

Purpose and Symbolism

Trajan's Column was erected to celebrate Trajan's victory and to serve as his tomb. The base of the column contains a chamber that was intended to hold Trajan's ashes, although it is uncertain if his remains were ever placed there. The column also served as a powerful piece of Roman propaganda, showcasing the might and success of the Roman Empire.

Inscriptions

An inscription at the base of the column dedicates the monument to Trajan and details his titles and achievements. The inscription is written in Latin and is a significant example of Roman epigraphy.

Influence and Legacy

Trajan's Column has influenced many subsequent monuments, including the Column of Marcus Aurelius in Rome and the Vendôme Column in Paris. It remains one of the most important and well-preserved monuments of ancient Rome and continues to be a major attraction for tourists and scholars alike.

Preservation

The column has undergone various restoration efforts over the centuries to preserve its intricate carvings and structural integrity. Despite these efforts, some details of the relief have been worn away due to weathering and pollution.

Gallery

• Trajan's Column Rome.jpg

  Trajan's Column

• Trajan's Column relief.jpg

  Detail of the relief

See also

• Roman architecture
• Dacian Wars
• Trajan's Forum
• Apollodorus of Damascus
• Roman triumphal columns